Pouring attachment for a liquid container



Aug- 1967 R. E. HOPKINS POURING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID CONTAINER FiledMarch 25, 1966 52 R053 E. HOPKINS I ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,333,736 POURING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID CONTAINERRoss E. Hopkins, Emporia, Kans., assignor to Hopkins ManufacturingCorp., Emporia, Kans., a corporation of Kansas.

Filed Mar. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 537,348 10 Claims. (Cl. 222-83) ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A pouring attachment for a liquid container, such asan oil can, includes a spout having gripping means for selectivelyattaching the spout to the container. Cutting means movable connected tothe spout is adapted to form an opening in the container within the areathereof embraced by the spout. Stored energy means, movably connected bya linkage to the cutting means, is adapted to move the cutting meansinto cutting engagement with the container. Releasable restraining meansconnected with the stored energy means for preventing operation thereofmay not be released to cause the cutting means to be moved until thespout has first been secured to the container by the gripping means.

This invention relates to a pouring attachment for a liquid container.In particular, the invention relates to a pouring attachment used topour oil from a disposable motor oil can into an engine crankcase, orthe like, of the type wherein the pouring attachment is adapted toproduce an opening in the can.

Pouring attachments for motor oil cans, of the type adapted to producean opening in the can, are Widely in use. The most commonly used formsof pouring attachment generally include a spout provided with asharpened lower extremity which must be manually forced through theupper end of the oil can. Such pouring attachments are not entirelysatisfactory as they may sometimes require such an appreciable manualeffort to force the spout into the can as to make them unusable when thesharpened edges becomes blunted or when used by a female gas stationattendant.

Attempts have been made to obviate these disadvantages by the provisionof pouring attachments provided with separate cutting members movedindependently of, and relative to, the spout by suitable means such as,for example, stored energy devices. One such prior attachment includesanopen housing adapted to receive an oil can for free vertical movementwithin the housing, a pouring spout at the lower end of the housing, anda pivotal cutter adapted to be moved into cutting engagement with thebase of the oil can by a spring.

Such a priorpouring attachment may prove unsatisfactory in a number ofsituations commonly encountered in use in which it may be necessary tosuddenly invert the pouring attachment. One example of such a situationoccurs when it becomes necessary to cease pouring oil while the can isstill partially filled. Another situation in which inversion of thepouring attachment may be required occurs during removal of theattachment and can after use when it may be desirable to invert thespout in order to prevent oil from dripping into areas surrounding thesite of use. In such situations, the necessary inversion of the pouringattachment may permit the oil can to fall inadvertently from the openend of the housing, thereby causing possible damage and scattering ofoil from the fallen can.

A further problem that may arise in the provision of a housingpermitting free vertical movement of the can is that the impact of thecutter on the base of the can may concurrently move the can upwardlywith the cutter with 3,333,736 Patented Aug. 1, 1967 attachment for aliquid container, of the type including a spout and a cutter adapted tobe moved relative to the spout by stored energy means, so uniquelyconstructed that the can may be securely supported by the pouringattachment in an inverted non-pouring position with the spout uppermost.

It is another object of the invention to provide a pouring attachmentfor a liquid container, of the type including a spout and a cutteradapted to be moved relative to the spout by stored energy means,wherein the pouring attachment may be securely attached to the liquidcontainer as to prevent movement thereof relative to the locus of thecutter.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a pouringattachment for a liquid container, of the type including a spout adaptedto be releasably secured to the container and a cutter adapted to bemoved relative to the spout by a spring, so uniquely constructed thatresetting of the spring is effected simultaneously with release of thespout from the container.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a pouringattachment for a liquid container, of the type including a spout and acutter movable relative to the spout, wherein the cutter isautomatically covered for safety purposes whenever the pouringattachment is not in use on a container.

One broad aspect of the present invention designed to accomplish atleast some of the desired objects entails the provision of a pouringattachment for a liquid container including a spout. Gripping meansconnected with the spout are adapted to be moved into grippingengagement with the container so as to secure the spout to thecontainer. Cutting means within and connected with the spout are adaptedto produce an opening in the container. The cutting means includesstored energy means for actuating the cutting means and releasablerestraining means for preventing actuation of the cutting means by thestored energy means. Sequencing means are provided permitting release ofthe restraining means so that the cutting means may be actuated by thestored energy means only after the gripping means have been moved intoengagement with the container.

In more detail, the present invention includes a generally verticalspout having a base. A movable member is connected with the spout forprogressive movement relative to the spout from an initial positionthrough an intermediate position to a final position. Actuatablegripping means are connected with the spout for securing the spout tothe container with the base of the spout immediately adjacent the upperend of the container. The gripping means is contacted by, andcontinuously actuated by, the movable member during movement of themovable member between the intermediate and the final positions thereofso as to secure the spout to the container. Cutting means adapted toproduce an opening in the container includes blade means within andmovably connected to the spout. The blade means is movable from aninoperative position above the base of the spout to an operativeposition in which a portion of the blade means extends beneath the baseof the spout. Biasing means are connected with the blade means forurging the blade means from the inoperative to the operative positionthereof. Releasable retaining means are connected with the blade meansfor preventing movement of the blade means from the inoperativeposition. The retaining means are contacted by, and released by, themovable member upon movement of the member to the final positionthereof. In this manner, the container first has the spout secured tothe container and is subsequently opened by the blade so that the liquidmay be poured.

Another si'gnificant aspect of the invention inyolves the provision ofcover means pivotally connected with the spout for horizontal movementbeneath the base of the spout to cover the blade forsafety purposes whenthe pouring attachment is not in use.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of onepreferred embodiment of a pouring attachment according to the. presentinvention, showing the pouring attachment mounted on a liquid containersuch as an oil can, with the cutting mechanism in a released position;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the pouring attachment shown in FIGURE 1 withthe cutting mechanism shown in a cocked'position; and

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the pouring attachment shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, one preferred embodimentof the invention there shown comprises a pouring spout 2 secured to ahousing 4 including a handle 5. The housing 4 may be releasably securedto a liquid container 6 such as a motor oil can or the like, by fixedand movable gripping members 8 and 10, respectively. A pivotally mountedcutting blade 12 includes a cutting edge 14 which may be moved intocutting engagement with the container 6 by an operating rod 16 biased bya spring 18. The action of the spring 18 is restrained in a cockedcondition of the pouring attachment by the action of a notch 20 on theoperating rod 16 adapted to engage an adjacent portion of the housing 4.A movable member 22 pivotally connected to the housing 4 may beprogressively rotated through successive positions in which it firstengages the gripping member with the container 6 and subsequentlydepresses the operating rod 16 so that the notch is moved out ofengagement with the housing 4 thereby permitting the spring 18 toactuate the blade 12 to form an opening in the container. Manuallyeffected, reverse movement of the movable member 22 causes the operatingrod 16 to be retracted, thereby releasing the engaging gripping member10 to free the can 6, resetting the spring 18, and re-engaging the notch20 with the housing 4.

The housing 4, as may be seen from FIGURES 1 and 3, includes a circularbase 26 substantially coextensive with the top of the container, havingthe previously described spout 2 secured to the upper surface of thebase 26 adjacent a forward portion of the periphery thereof. The base 26includes an opening 27 within the area of the base of the spout 2, topermit oil to be poured through the spout.

A resilient annular sealing strip 28, of a suitable material such as forexample rubber is secured to the undersurface of base 26 about theperiphery thereof. In use the sealing strip abuts and is compressed bythe upper surface of the container so as to prevent unwanted leakage ofoil between the base 26 and the container and also to urge the fixed andmovable gripping members 8 and 10 securely into contact with the beadingof the container.

7 Positioned on the upper surface of the base 26 and extendingdiametrically rearwardly from the spout is a vertically extending,U-shaped frame 29. The frame 29 in cludes a vertically extending forwardweb 30 forming a portion of the rear surface of the spout 2 adjacent thelower extremity thereof, a base portion 32 extending rearwardly from theweb 30 abutting and projecting rearwardly of the upper surface of thebase 26, and a vertically extending rear web 34 extending upwardly fromthe rearward extremity of the base 32.

The U-shaped frame 29 supports two vertically extending, spaced,opposed, identical, coextensive side members 36. Each side member 36includes an upper portion 38 and a handle portion 40.

The upperportion38 is defined by a base edge 42 extending along andsecured to the base portion 32 of the frame and to the adjacent portionof the upper surface of the base 26, a forward edge 44 extending alongand upwardly of and secured to the web 30, and a top edge 46 extendingrearwardly from the top edge of the forward edge 44 at a slight downwardinclination therefrom.

The handle portion 40 includes an inner edge 48 extending downwardlyfrom the rear extremity of base edge 42 at a slight rearward inclinationthereto. The inner edge 48 is adapted to be spaced a suitable distancefrom an adjacent side of the container when the pouring attachment issecured, to permit room for an operators fingers to pass between thecontainer and the handle portion 40. The handle portion 40 also includesa rearward edge 50 depending from the upper edge 46 of the upper portion38 at a slight rearward inclination thereto and so spaced from the inneredge 48 as to be adapted for comfortable reception within the operatorshand. The inner and outer adjacent edges 48 and 50 are joined by a baseedge 52. p

The adjacent inner edges 48 of the spaced opposed side members 36 arejoined by a vertically extending reinforcing flange 54. The lowerextremity of the flange 54 extends downwardly below the base edge 52 ofthe handle portion 40 to provide a finger portion 56 having a rearwardlyand downwardly curved quadrantal profile.

The previously described spout 2 is of generally tubular form havingopen upper and lower extremities and is pro vided with a forwardlyinclined portion 56 adjacent its upper extremity. It will be appreciatedthat spouts of different profile may be provided. I

The previously described cutting blade 12 is of generally triangularform defined by an upper edge 58, the previously described cutting edge14, and a hypotenuse 60. The cutting blade 12 is mounted for pivotalmotion in a vertical plane within opening 27 about a horizontal axispassing through a fulcrum 62 on the blade adjacent the intersection ofthe upper and cutting edges 58 and 14, respectively. The blade 12 may bemoved from an inoperative position in which the cutting edge 14 ispositioned generally in the plane of the base 26 to an operativeposition in which the cutting edge 14 extends substantiallyver ticallydownwardly from the base 26.

intersection of the hypotenuse 60 and the upper edge 58.

- The operating rod 16 includes spaced, opposed, vertical extending fiatsides and a generally horizontal, longitudinal axis. The forwardextremity of the operating rod 16 is also provided with a projection 66extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rod 16 in anupward direction, provided with a central closed slot 68 having alongitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of operatingrod 16. The slot 68 permits vertical movement of the pivot point 64relative to the operating rod 16, such vertical movement of theoperating rod 16 being required during motion of the notch 20 intoengagement with the rear web 34 as will be described hereinafter.

The .operating rod 16 is received within vertically extending, closedslots 70 and 72 provided in the forward and rear webs 30 and 34,respectively, which permit sliding motion of the operating rod 16 alongthe direction of its longitudinal axis and which also permit limitedmotion of the rod in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the operating rod. The operating rod 16 is urged froma rearwardcocked position in which the blade 12 is in the inoperative position toa forward released positionin which the blade 12 is in the operativeposition thereof, by the previously described compression spring 18. Thecompression spring 18 is positioned concentrically about the operatingrod 16 with one extremity of the spring abutting the forward surface ofthe rear web 34 and the other extremity of the spring 18 abutting a stoppin 74 secured to and extending transversely of the operating rod 16. Inorder to retain the operating rod 16 in the cocked position against theaction of spring 18, the previously described notch 20 in the uppersurface of the operating rod is moved upwardly during cocking in amanner to be described, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the rod 16 into contact with the rear member 34. In thisposition, a vertically extending rear face 73 of the notch 20 abuts aportion of the rear surface of the rear web 34 above the upper closedextremity of the slot 72 so as to prevent forward motion of theoperating rod 16.

In order to secure the housing 4 to the container 6, the previouslydescribed gripping members 8 and are provided. The fixed gripping member8, secured to and depending from the periphery of the base 26 adjacentthe spout 2 is curved downwardly and inwardly so that it may be placedover and about a beading on the edge of the container 6 in grippingengagement therewith. The movable gripping member 10 is pivotallyconnected to the base 26 and as best seen in FIGURE 2, comprises a bodyportion 76 mounted for pivotal motion about a pivot point 79 in thevertical plane positioned intermediate and parallel to the side members36 in diametrical opposition to the fixed gripping member 8. The bodyportion 76 may be rotated by a lever 77 extending downwardly andrearwardly outwardly from the upper extremity of body 76. The bodyportion 76 includes a rounded nose portion 78 and a notched grippingportion 80 on the forward peripheral surface of the body portion 76.Gripping portion 80 may be rotated by the lever 77 into grippingengagement wit-h the beading of the container. The gripping member 10 isnormally urged into a nongripping position out of contact with theheading by a release spring 82.

In order to control the operation of the gripping member 10 and of theblade 12, the previously described movable member 22 is provided.Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the movable member 22 may be seen toprogressively movable from the initial position shown in FIGURE 2 to thefinal position shown in FIGURE 1. The handle 22 includes an upperportion 84 pivotally connected adjacent the forward extremity thereofabout a pivot point 85 for movement in the vertical plane, to andbetween the side members 36 adjacent the forward web 30. In the finalposition of the movable member 22, the upper surface of the top portion84 is adapted to lie along and flush with the top edges 46 of the sidemembers 36. The movable member 22 also includes a handle portion 86having a rear surface adapted to lie along and flush with the edges50'of the handle portions 40 of the side members 36 in the finalposition of the movable member 22. The handle portion 86 adjacent itsupper end includes a forwardly and downwardly directed flangelikeabutment point 87 adapted to contact the free extremity of the lever 77during travel of the movable member 22 between the initial and finalpositions thereof. The abutment point 87 in the preferred embodiment isformed by pressing material inwardly of the handle portion 86 to form aprojecting spur; however, it will be appreciated that other forms ofabutment point, such as a welded lug or threaded member, may beprovided. A forwardly and downwardly curved arcuate finger portion 88 atthe free extremity of the handle portion 86 included a free extremity 90adapted to abut the free extremity of the arcuate finger portion 56depending from the handle portions 40. The finger portions 88 and 56provided convenient gripping points for the operator to effect reversemovement of the movable member 22 outwardly of the side members torelease the container, as described hereinafter.

The movable member 22 also includes two spaced opposed extensive forwardtongues 94 spaced symmetrically on either side of the operating rod 16and depending from the top portion 84 forwardly of the point of pivotalconnection of the top portion 84 to the side members 36. Each tongue 94has a cam-like downwardly and rearwardly curved surface 95 adapted to becontacted by the stop 74, as. seen in FIGURE 1, in the released positionof the pouring attachment so that the spring 18 will thereafter bias themovable member 22 against movement from the final position. Such biasingof the movable member 22 to its final position will also have the effectof continuously urging the abutment point 87 on the handle portion 86against the lever 77 so that continuous gripping pressure is maintainedon the can by the gripping member 10 without further manual effort bythe operator.

A longitudinally extending, closed slot 98 is provided in handle portion86 adjacent the junction of the top portion 84 and the depending portion86. The slot 98 is so positioned as to provide an opening in member 22through which the rear extremity of the operating rod 116 may pass asthe member 22 moves toward the final position thereof. The slot 98includes a forward lateral edge 100 so positioned as to contact theupper surface of the operating rod 16 adjacent the free extremity thereof as the movable member 22 reaches the final position so as to move theoperating rod 16 downwardly in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axisthereof to free the notch 20 from engagement with therear Web 34.

In order to cover the cutting edge of the blade 14 when the pouringattachment is not in use, the previously described cover 24 is provided.The cover 24 comprises a horizontal upper flange 102 having a rearwardlyextending arm 104 pivotally connected about a pivot point 105 to theupper surface of the base 26 sidewardly of the spout. A web 106 dependsvertically'from the forward extremity of flange 102 and supports arearwardly extending, horizontal cover plate 108 spaced beneath andparallel to the top flange 102. A cover spring, 109, connected to thecover 24 and the base 26, urges the cover 24 to rotate inwardly of thebase 26 so that the cover plate 108 is positioned beneath and adjacentthe blade 12, thereby preventing possible damage if the blade shouldinadvertently be projected to its cutting position at a time when nocontainer is present.

In operation, utilizing the pouring attachment in the cooked positionshown in FIGURE 2, an operator holding the attachment by the handleportion 40 will position the base 26 on the top end of the containerwith the beading thereof engaged with fixed gripping member 8. The cover24 will be moved outwardly of the blade by contact with the side of thecontainer. The operator then rotates the member 22 downwardly until theabutment 87 contacts the fi'ee extremity of the lever 77, at which timethe gripping tooth of the movable gripping member 10 moves into grippingengagement with the heading on the container so that the attachment issecured to the container. By maintaining slight manual gripping pressureon the handle portion 86 of the member 22 and the handle portions 40 ofthe side members 36, the pouring attachment may then be used to carrythe container to the desired site of use and the pouring spout placed ina suitable attitude for pouring. A final squeezing movement of thehandle portion 86 and 40 together moves the forward edge of the slot 98into contact with the free extremity of the operating rod 16 which isthereby moved downwardly to free the notch 20 from contact with the rearweb 34. The spring 18 then urges the rod 16 forwardly thus rotating thecutting edge 14 of the blade 12 into contact with the top of thecontainer to form an opening therein. Thereafter, the previouslydescribed action of the spring 18 urging the stop 74' against the tongue94 will cause the handle 22 to remain biased in the final position withthe gripping member 10 urged continuously into engagement with thebeading of the container. The pouring attachment and the container mayeasily be removed and inverted when desired while still retaining thecontainer and pouring attachment in secured relation.

After the container has been emptied, the operator inserts his fingersbetween the arcuate finger portions 88 and 56 to separate the handleportion 86 away from the handle portions 40. Rotation of the member 22causes the tongues 94 contacting the stop 74 to move rearwardly therebyreturning the operating rod 16 and the blade 12 to their cockedpositions and at the same time resetting the spring 18. Thecam-likesurface 95 of the tongue 94 acting on the stop 74 simultaneously raisesthe operating rod 16 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis thereof so as to move the notch 20 upwardly into engagement withthe rear web 24 as the operating rod reaches its cocked position,thereby re-cocking the device. Reverse movement of the movable member 22past its intermediate position causes the abutment 87 to move out ofcontact with the free extremity of lever 77 permitting the spring 82 torotate the gripping member out of engagement with the container whichwill be released. As the container is released, the cover 24 will beurged back to its cover position by the cover spring.

In constructing a pouring attachment for a liquid container according tothe present invention, it will be seen that substantially greatersecurity of attachment of the pouring attachment to the container isprovided. In particular, the manner in which the movable gripping member10 is maintained in continuous engagement with the beading on thecontainer by the action of the spring 18 acting continuously through themember 22, the abutment 87 and the lever 77 on the gripping member 10 isparticularly effective in preventing detachment of the container fromthe pouring attachment upon inversion thereof.

Another particularly important advantage is derived from the manner inwhich the cutting blade is not acuated to produce an opening in thecontainer until the container has been securely gripped to the pouringattachment, thereby preventing any movement of the container relative'tothe blade which might reduce the size of the opening produced.

Another advantage is provided by the release spring on the movablegripping member which ensures that the can is automatically freed fromthe pouring attachment as the movable member is returned to the initialposition there- Significant safety advantages are provided by the coverwhich is automatically moved to a position beneath the blade whenever nocontainer is present, thereby ensuring that inadvertent operation of theblade in such a condition does not cause possible damage.

It will be appreciated that the terms upper, lower, forward, and rear,as used to describe pouring attachment elements, are employed toindicate relative placement of such elements with respect to one anotherand are not intended as limitations.

Although the invention is described with reference to the preferredembodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatadditions, deletions, modifications, substitutions, and other changes,not specifically described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment,may be made which will fall within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pouring attachment for a liquid container, said pouring attachmentcomprising:

a spout having a basal opening,

gripping means connected with said spout adapted to be moved intogripping engagement with the container to secure said spout to thecontainer with said basal opening adjacent a portion of the container,actuatable cutting means pivotally connected with the spout adapted toform an opening within that portion of the container adjacent said basalopening of said spout upon actuation of said cutting means, said cuttingmeans including:

stored energy means means,

a linkage operatively connected with said stored energy means and aportion of said cutting means eccentric of the point of pivotalconnection of said cutting means to said spout,

releasable restraining means connected with said for actuating saidcutting 8 linkage for preventing actuation of said cutting means, andreleasing means for causing release of said restraining means only aftersaid gripping means have been moved into engagement with the container.2. A pouring attachment for a liquid container, said pouring attachmentcomprising:

a spout having a basal opening,

a movable member connected with said spout, means mounting said memberfor progressive movement with respect to said spout from an initialposition through an intermediate position to a final position,

actuatable securing means connected with said spout adapted to securesaid spout to the container with said basal opening immediately adjacentan upper end of the container upon actuation of said securing means,said securing means being contacted and continuously actuated by saidmemberduring movement of said member between the intermediate and finalpositions thereof,

cutting means adapted to produce an opening in the container, saidcutting means including:

blade means movably connected to and positioned within said spout andadapted to form an opening in the container, said blade means beingmovable from an inoperative position above said basal opening to anoperative position in which a portion of the said blade means extendsbeneath said basal opening,

biasing means connected with said blade means for urging said blademeans from the inoperative to the operative position thereof,

releasable retaining means, connected-with said blade means forpreventing movement of said blade means from the inoperative positionthereof, said retaining means being contacted and released by saidmovable member upon movement of said member to the final positionthereof,

1 whereby the spout may be first secured to the container and thecontainer may subsequently be opened by the blade in response tomovement of said member from said initial to said final position. i

3. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 2 wherein said blademeans includes:

abutment means adapted to continuously contact a portion of said movablemember during a reverse move ment of said member from the final to theinitial position thereof for returning said blade means from theoperative to the inoperative position thereof.

4. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 2 wherein said movablemember includes:

a handle portion adapted to be positioned in a carrying positionadjacent and spaced from the container in the final position of saidmember,

said handle portion being restrained against movement from the carryingposition by said abutment means being urged into contact with anotherportion of said movable member by said biasing means.

5. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 2 further including: a

cover means pivotally connected with said spout for movement beneath thebasal opening of said spout, said cover'means adapted to be movedoutwardly from said'spout by contact with a side surface of thecontainer, and urging means connected with said spout and said covermeans for urging said cover meansto a covering position beneath saidspout for covering said basal opening of said spout and saidblade forsafety purposes. a 6. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 2wherein said securing means comprises:

a housing secured to said spout, said housing having a longitudinalaxis,

a base on said housing, said base secured to said spout about andextending outwardly of said basal opening of said spout, said baseincluding longitudinally spaced opposed forward and rear peripheralportions adapted to be positioned adjacent two opposed peripheralportions of a generally flat upper end of the container,

a first gripping member fixedly secured to and depending from saidforward peripheral portion of said base,

said first gripping member adapted to receive and support a portion of aheading extending about the periphery of the upper end of the container,

a lever pivotally connected for motion in a vertical plane to saidhousing adjacent the rear extremity of said base, said lever including afree extremity adapted to be continuously contacted by a contact portionof said movable member during movement of said member between theintermediate and final positions thereof to move said lever between afirst and a second position respectively, and

a second gripping member secured to and depending from said leveradjacent said base, said lever adapted to rotate said second grippingmember into continuout gripping engagement with an adjacent portion ofthe beading during movement of said lever between the first and secondpositions thereof,

whereby the container is secured to said pouring attachment by movementof said member between the intermediate and final positions thereof.

7. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 6 further including:

release spring means connected with said housing and said lever forurging said lever to the first position thereof,

whereby said second gripping member is moved out of gripping engagementwith said container by said release spring means during movement of saidmember between the intermediate and initial positions thereof.

8. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 6 wherein said movablemember includes:

a top portion having forward and rearward extremities,

said top portion adjacent and rearwardly of the forward extremitythereof pivotally connected to said housing for motion in the verticalplane,

a handle portion depending from the rearward extremity of said topportion, said handle portion adapted to be positioned in a carryingposition spaced from and adjacent a side of the container upon movementof said member to the final position, and

at least one forward tongue depending from the forward extremity of saidtop portion forwardly of the point of pivotal connection of said topportion to said housing, said tongue being continuously contacted by aportion of said blade means when said movable member is in the finalposition thereof, said biasing means urging said portion of said blademeans continuously against said forward tongue so as to bias saidmovable member against reverse movement from the final position,

said contact portion of said movable member comprising a forwardlydirected projection on said handle portion adapted to continuouslycontact the free extremity of said lever during movement of said memberbetween the intermediate and final positions thereof,

whereby said second gripping member is continuously biased into grippingrelation with the beading of the container by the action of said biasingmeans urging said portion of said blade means continuously against saidforward tongue of said movable member.

9. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 2 wherein said cuttingmeans comprises:

a housing secured to said spout, said housing having a longitudinalaxis,

a base on said housing, said base secured to said spout about andextending outwardly of said basal opening of said spout, said baseincluding longitudinally spaced opposed forward and rear peripheralportions adapted to be positioned adjacent two opposed peripheralportions of a generally fiat upper end of the container,

a vertically extending blade within and pivotally connected to saidspout, said blade being mounted for pivotal motion in the vertical planeabout a fulcrum intermediate the upper and lower extremities of saidblade, said blade movable from an inoperative position in which thelower extremity of said blade is positioned above said basal opening ofsaid spout to an operative position in which the lower extremity of saidblade projects below said basal opening,

an operating rod having a forward extremity pivotally connected withsaid blade, said operating rod mounted Within said housing for motionalong the longitudinal axis of said operating rod from a first positionto a second position to rotate said blade about said fulcrum from theinoperative to the operative positions of said blade, respectively, saidrod being mounted in said housing for limited movement in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said rod,

a projecting stop secured to said rod intermediate the extremitiesthereof,

a compression spring having a forward extremity contacting said stopextending rearwardly therefrom and having a rear extremity abutting aportion of said housing, said spring urging said operating rod to thesec-0nd position thereof, and

an engaging portion on said rod,

said engaging portion movable into engagement with another portion ofsaid housing when said rod is in the first position, upon movement ofsaid rod in one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axisthereof, said engaging portion preventing movement of said rod from thefirst position thereof,

said movable member including an abutment portion contacting said rodupon movement of said member to the final position thereof, saidabutment portion moving said rod in the other direction perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis thereof to separate said engaging portion fromsaid housing,

whereby said operating rod is urged into the second position by saidspring so as to cause said blade to form an opening in the container.

10. A pouring attachment in accordance to claim 9 wherein said movablemember includes:

a top portion having forward and rear extremities, said top portionadjacent and rearwardly of the forward extremity thereof pivotallyconnected to said housing for motion in a vertical plane including thelongitudinal axis of said operating rod,

a handle portion depending from the rear extremity of said top portion,

at least one forward tongue depending from the forward extremity of saidtop portion forwardly of the point of pivotal connection of said topportion to said housing, said forward tongue including a camlike rearsurface, said cam-like surface being adapted by said stop during thereverse movement of said movable member from the final to the initialposition thereof, said cam-like surface acting upon said stop to movesaid operating rod along the longitudinal axis thereof to the firstposition of said operating rod, said cam-like surface simultaneouslymoving said operating rod in said one direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis thereof to engage said engaging portion on saidoperating rod with said housing in the first position of said operatingrod,

whereby said spring is simultaneously reset and re- 1,970,573 8/1934Nichols 2 222-83 Stramed from release- 1 2,047,242 7/1936 Young 222 -s3References Cited 2,1 61,090' 6/1939 Richelt 222-83 UNITED STATES PATENTS5 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, P a Exami er. 1,393,250 10/1921 Sharbaugh 22243 A r

1. A POURING ATTACHMENT FOR A LIQUID CONTAINER, SAID POURING ATTACHMENTCOMPRISING: A SPOUT HAVING A BASAL OPENING, GRIPPING MEANS CONNECTEDWITH SAID SPOUT ADAPTED TO BE MOVED INTO GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THECONTAINER TO SECURE SAID SPOUT TO THE CONTAINER WITH SAID BASAL OPENINGADJACENT A PORTION OF THE CONTAINER, ACTUATABLE CUTTING MEANS PIVOTALYCONNECTED WITH THE SPOUT ADAPTED TO FORM AN OPENING WITHN THAT PORTIONOF THE CONTAINER ADJACENT SAID BASAL OPENING OF SAID SPOUT UPONACTUATION OF SAID CUTTING MEANS MEANS, SAID CUTTING MEANS INCLUDING:STORED ENERGY MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID CUTTING MEANS, A LINKAGEOPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID STORED ENERGY MEANS AND A PORTION OFSAID CUTTING MEANS ECCENTRIC OF THE POINT OF PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF SAIDCUTTING MEANS TO SAID SPOUT, RELEASABLE RESTRAINING MEANS CONNECTED WITHSAID LINKAGE FOR PREVENTING ACTUATION OF SAID CUTTING MEANS, ANDRELEASING MEANS FOR CAUSING RELEASE OF SAID RESTRAINING MEANS ONLY AFTERSAID GRIPPING MEANS HAVE BEEN MOVED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONTAINER.